Love for being self

I’d like to believe that we are by nature social creatures. Anyone who has ever experienced loneliness – and among us hasn’t – will agree with that. We need each other. But as much as we need to be with each other, we also need to be alone from time to time. The thought is expressed beautifully by Paul Tillich. In his book, Courage To Be, he writes, “Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of being alone. It has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone.” One of the absolute essentials of my life is to have time to myself. Time to collect scattered thoughts, time for quiet contemplation, time to think things through, or time to just go along at my own pace. To me, it’s a very reasonable demand of the body and the mind that I disengage from everything and everyone occasionally. It’s amazing how often I am criticized for this trait. I, say my critics, who love people so much, have no right to be a private person. This requirement is noI’d like to believe that we are by nature social creatures. Anyone who has ever experienced loneliness – and among us hasn’t – will agree with that. We need each other. But as much as we need to be with each other, we also need to be alone from time to time. The thought is expressed beautifully by Paul Tillich. In his book, Courage To Be, he writes, “Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of being alone. It has created the word loneliness to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word solitude to express the glory of being alone.” One of the absolute essentials of my life is to have time to myself. Time to collect scattered thoughts, time for quiet contemplation, time to think things through, or time to just go along at my own pace. To me, it’s a very reasonable demand of the body and the mind that I disengage from everything and everyone occasionally. It’s amazing how often I am criticized for this trait. I, say my critics, who love people so much, have no right to be a private person. This requirement is not new for me. I discovered it early. In my childhood, in my birth country, there were the day-long excursions up into the mountains, near town, the hours of exploring whatever came into a view or grasp, completely absorbed in my environment. There were very special trees that had the most accommodating branches for climbing and for building my own little fortress of solitude, way up high. When I really needed to be alone, that was my place. I still like to break away on my own and wander to places that invite exploration. Sad to say, I’m less inclined to climb trees these days, but the stars seem just as close and glorious from the backyard of our house, and it’s a great deal less strenuous. I manage to get away by myself few days every now and then. It’s a need that reasserts itself at appropriate intervals of my life. I divorce myself from newspapers, TV, telephone, Blackberry, even though it’s not always easy to leave these things behind. for me, doing this has its rewards. First of all, there is the absolute splendor of no static from the outside. Getting far enough away from the sounds of the city means an opportunity to listen to my own heart and mind. I sometimes forget their sound in the constant roar of daily life. Having experienced this for a week or so, the renewing effect it has on my mind and body is unmistakable. Being cut off from a week’s worth of news, and the calamities and carnage that are its mainstays, is a very special kind of therapy. It’s most enlightening to discover that, like a never ending soap opera, nothing is really missed by failing occasionally to keep current. In fact, separating oneself from the woes of the world can do wonders for one’s outlook and general mood. One returns refreshed and optimistic! It’s so easy to become wrapped up in a routine of people an places that we neglect the all-important time of separation. Even when we find ourselves alone we are sometimes prone to fill the empty space with the chatter of a television set, or the Internet or plugged in MP3 player, almost as if we were afraid of the quiet. We forget that there is an inner music that’s nice to listen to sometimes. Thomas Edison said of his deafness that it was an asset because from it he learned to listen from within. All of us, to some degree, suffer from a different kind of deafness that is caused by ignoring or closing off those inner channels. Solitude is an excellent way of improving our hearing.t new for me. I discovered it early. In my childhood, in my birth country, there were the day-long excursions up into the mountains, near town, the hours of exploring whatever came into a view or grasp, completely absorbed in my environment. There were very special trees that had the most accommodating branches for climbing and for building my own little fortress of solitude, way up high. When I really needed to be alone, that was my place. I still like to break away on my own and wander to places that invite exploration. Sad to say, I’m less inclined to climb trees these days, but the stars seem just as close and glorious from the backyard of our house, and it’s a great deal less strenuous. I manage to get away by myself few days every now and then. It’s a need that reasserts itself at appropriate intervals of my life. I divorce myself from newspapers, TV, telephone, Blackberry, even though it’s not always easy to leave these things behind. for me, doing this has its rewards. First of all, there is the absolute splendor of no static from the outside. Getting far enough away from the sounds of the city means an opportunity to listen to my own heart and mind. I sometimes forget their sound in the constant roar of daily life. Having experienced this for a week or so, the renewing effect it has on my mind and body is unmistakable. Being cut off from a week’s worth of news, and the calamities and carnage that are its mainstays, is a very special kind of therapy. It’s most enlightening to discover that, like a never ending soap opera, nothing is really missed by failing occasionally to keep current. In fact, separating oneself from the woes of the world can do wonders for one’s outlook and general mood. One returns refreshed and optimistic! It’s so easy to become wrapped up in a routine of people an places that we neglect the all-important time of separation. Even when we find ourselves alone we are sometimes prone to fill the empty space with the chatter of a television set, or the Internet or plugged in MP3 player, almost as if we were afraid of the quiet. We forget that there is an inner music that’s nice to listen to sometimes. Thomas Edison said of his deafness that it was an asset because from it he learned to listen from within. All of us, to some degree, suffer from a different kind of deafness that is caused by ignoring or closing off those inner channels. Solitude is an excellent way of improving our hearing.

Love for being self

CHARTER of WORLD ART GAMES

 The Association WORLD ART GAMES (WAG) is a non-profit organization, registered in Croatia, with headquarters in Croatia – Osijek, Županijska 18/II.

Copyright, artist Peter Weisz

PROJECT IDEAS:

To interconnect creative artists from all artistic disciplines on a network, in order to  organize the art competition every two years in Croatia. The event will be permanent and would traditionally be held in the partner cities of WAG Association.

PROJECT MISSION:
To build a worldwide network of National Committee of WAG (NC), whose chairman and members are renowned artists in various artistic (creative) disciplines, or VIP persons.
Minimum number of the NC members is 5 artists.

• The NC Network will globally promote the culture. Through its activity every two years in the partner cities of the WAG the competing event will be prepared. The national culture and creativity teams compete simultaneously in the same area and through friendly relations and presentation of their traditions and cultural heritage – the idea of peace and tolerance will be developed – which historically has always been the idea of Olympism.
• All States can participate on the WAG regardless of race, religion, or political commitment.

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT STRUCTURE, RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
WORLD ART GAMES – GENERAL OFFICE:
   1. Regulates the complete project and is responsible for its implementation.
   2. Coordinates the work of the National Committees.
   3. Appoints presidents of the National Committees.
   4. Appoints board members of the partner cities.
   5. Confirms the artist proposed by the National Committees.
   6. Between two WAG organizes international cultural events, exchange, shows, concerts, exhibitions, etc.
   7. Regulates finance and accounting.
   8. Represents and promote the idea of the project to international media.
   9. Appoints the service (such as translation, legal, marketing), and hires volunteers.
  10. Sign agreements and contracts with the cities-partners and sponsors.
  11. Accepts donations.
  12. Will manage the Museum of Culture Olympics, whose holdings will be filled by donations of works of art.
  13. Conclude all relevant agreements with all relevant institutions in the country.
  14. Commends and rewards responsible for the development of the project.
  15. Brings disciplinary measures and has the right to cancel the function of members whose work and commitment is not satisfying.

NATIONAL COMMITTEES OF WORLD ART GAMES:
   1. NC`s president is appointed by the General office. President invites his associates on the Committee. Number of NC members is a minimum of 5 persons – Artists from different Art disciplines.
   2. NC members must be regular members of WAG and commit themselves to pay a yearly fee of 30 EUR to the Head Office, till 30.06. –  for current year.
   3. Upon the instructions of the General office, National Committee should register, create a seal, and open a bank account.
   4. National Committees select and invites artists from their countries to participate in the Games, according to the rules which determine the General office.
   5. National Committees collaborate with their governments, relevant ministries and the Embassy of their republic in Croatia. From them they are seeking funds for their work, covering 75% of the cost of accommodation and food for their participants in the Games, and full travel costs.
   6. They can seek funds from various sponsors in their own country. Then, 60% of funds obtained that way remains in NC, and 40% is paid to the General office. This is because WAG brand is used in commercial purposes.
   7. National Committees appoint, in each discipline in which they will participate, a member of the jury who will evaluate the success of artistic creations.
   8. NC lobbying and promote the idea of the project to the media in their country.
   9. All members of the NC or artists they propose upon the request from the General office will perform without fee at various art events (advertising the project), if they agree so.
  10. NC proposes particularly meritorious for the implementation of the project to the General Office for praise or rewards.
  11. President of NC is obliged – until March 31th to send report for previous year, to the main office about the work done by the NC (cultural activities, media coverage, the annual financial report).

At the invitation of the Organization should submit reports more frequently – if it is necessary.

   1. The cancellation deadline for the President of NC is 30 days. The President may propose his successor.

CITY COMMITTEES OF WORLD ART GAMES:
   1. Members of City committees are appointed by the General office.
   2. City Committee is consisted from minimum 3 members.
   3. Members of City committees must be regular members of the Association and they are obligated to pay the annual fee.
   4. City committees collaborate with city and regional institutions in terms of organizing some art events in their communities.
   5. Initiate a variety of art events in their communities, and the duty of the General office is to support them through its network.
   6. Lobby and promote the idea of the project, and seek new members and sympathizers.
   7. In their communities seek sponsors for the project. Of the funds collected that way, 30% will be paid to the member of the City committee, who found the sponsor.
   8. Inform local media about any significant events that the Association organizes in the country or abroad.

PARTNER CITIES:
   1. Signs an agreement with the General office which is binding to make available the city’s capacity for progress of cultural events without a fee – during the Games and the preparatory period.
   2. In the preparatory period before the Games, the organizer offer to the Partner cities a variety of cultural events, without payment of fees for the performers. Cities cover only the cost of overnight stays and meals for participants. Only in exceptional cases, they cover travel expenses.
   3. Cities are not obligated to accept offered cultural event.
   4. Cities that accept a partnership with the WAG are obliged to pay to the General office monthly sum, depending on the size of the city and its capabilities. It will be regulated by the agreement.
   5. Games will take place in the same cities every 2 years and will grow in the traditional event.

GENERAL RULES:
    * General office of the WAG consists of the president, vice-presidents, director, secretary and the steering committee. General office coordinates the work of the entire network.
    * Author of the project and president of WAG nominate presidents of National Committees of WAG (NC), who selects and invites associates, or members of the NC’s.
    * Members of the National Committees may choose whether to compete at the Games in their  discipline, or be a member of the international judging committee (jury).
    * The Games will take at least 8 and maximum 15 days, including opening and closing ceremony with the award of medals (depending on the number of participating countries and the number of competing events).
    * National Committees will cover 100% of the cost of arrival and departure at the Games.
    * National Committees will cover 75% of the cost of accommodation and meals during the duration of the Games for their teams, while the remaining 25% will be covered by the organizer in cooperation with local and State institutions.
    * To cover their expenses, National Committees are asking for financial help from their national institutions (government, ministries, the Embassy of their country in Croatia). These funds are used entirely for the purposes of NC.
    * To cover the expenses of their committee, National Committees seek assistance from donors and sponsors. From the resulting funds 40% will be paid to the Head office, due to the financial benefits realized through the brand of WORLD ART GAMES.
    * In accordance with the financial means they ensure in their own country, the Commitee will choose the number of participants (competitors) from their country, as well as the discipline in which they compete.
    * National Committees invites artists to participate in the Games. They can start instantly.
    * After accepting the invited participation of individual artists, NC must obtain a certificate of participation from the General office, in order to update stuffing competition categories. It is necessary for planning the event (to fill the categories, and number of persons related to select the location in Croatia-related to accommodation facilities, the existing cultural institutions, etc.).
    * Obligation for cities-partners in the project – payment to the General office per month, depending on the size of the city.
    * Deadline for NCs formal registration (stamp and account) – according to Agreement beetwen WAG Head office and NC president.
    * June 30st  deadline for Boards to pay membership fee for current year (30 EUR) for every Board-member, to Head office.

New members the fee for a current year have to pay within 60 days.

    * NOTIFICATION about Artists-participants on WAG have to be sent immidiately after the participant is selected
    * 31.05.2012. deadline for LAST NOTIFICATION about participants (than will be made program by the cities)
    * 30.06.2012. deadline for payment participations (for Artists on WAG) – will be used for hotel reservations and other last preparations
    * Participating Countries on the Games are required 3 months prior to arrival to pay to the General office the full amount of accommodation and meals, and registration fees for the Olympics (75%) for all artists and members of the jury.
    * If necessary, even before the Games, National Committees may organize the presentation of culture from their country in Croatia with no more than 7 artists (painters, sculptors, poets, musicians, small theaters, etc.) that the General Office will conduct trough our partner cities. In this case the National Committee cover travel expenses till Croatia and back – all other expenses are covered by the General Office. Such performances can be up to 5 nights in Croatia.
    * After the Games, winning performance in selected categories, can be arranged in some countries. Terms and conditions of this agreement will be arranged between the General office, NC (if exists in that country), and interested cities and institutions.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES:
The maximum possible number of participants by country at the first World Art Games in all categories:

PAINTING:
3 painters with 2 images  – oil on canvas
3 painters with 2 watercolors
3 painters with 2 graphics
1 artist – performer
2 artists with 2 posters

SCULPTURE – sculpture 70 cm maximum size:
3 sculptors – sculpture in wood
3 sculptors – sculpture in stone
3 sculptors -  sculpture made of plastic or other material
3 sculptors with 3 copies of medals

ART PHOTOGRAPHY:
3 photographers with 5 photos in black and white
3 photographers with 5 photos in color

FILM:
1 film
2 documentaries, duration up to 15 minutes
2 animated films, duration up to 5 minutes

TV:
2 music videos, duration up to 4 minutes
2 commercials, duration up to 1 minute

THEATRE:
2 plays with the maximum of 7 actors per play
3 pantomime
3 actors – stand up comedy

CERAMICS:
3 artists – up to 5 ceramic exhibits

SOUVENIR:
3 souvenirs from the participating country

DANCE:
2 groups – modern ballet, up to 7 dancers

2 groups – classical ballet, up to 7 dancers
3 dancing pairs – social dances

MUSIC:
Up to 2 jazz composition by country – up to 6 members with the singer
Solo opera (classical) singing – up to 3 singers from 1 country
Piano – up to 3 performers from 1 country
Violin – up to 3 performers from 1 country

Cello – up to 3 performers from 1 country

Accordion – up to 3 performers from 1 country
Ethnic music – up to 2 groups of performers, up to 5 members
Pop-music – up to 3 performers from 1 country

FASHION:
3 haute couture fashion designers from 1 country
3 fashion designers,  casual or sports mode from 1 country
JEWELRY:
3 designers of art jewelry

NON-COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES:

LITERATURE:
3 poets from 1 country
3 authors from 1 country
 

CUISINE:
1 chef and 2 assistants from 1 country

Cooking skills will be presented in the city where their compatriot competitors will be most numerous.

The funds that the Association accomplishes by its work, receives from donors, foundations and sponsors are intended as follows:
- to the work of the General Office and the NC in the preparation of the next Olympics.
- Part of the funds will be donated for the construction of buildings used for artistic purpose.
- Part of the funds are intended for young talented artists in the form of scholarships.

CHARTER of WORLD ART GAMES

Passion for Loving

Perhaps it’s time to look again at the ways and power of love. For many, just the thought that love is a real possibility gives hope to what could otherwise be an empty life. What harm can come from mutual respect, gentleness, goodness, trust and peaceful coexistence? Think about it. Only love has the power to unite without taking away another’s dignity, another’s self. Only love holds no jealous possession over people and nations. Only love is capable of putting humanity before ideology or race. Only love can supply the endless energies required to overcome hunger and despair. “Love one another”. These words were spoken more than two thousand years ago. Powerful though this command is, many of us have succeeded in ignoring it for these many years. We all give lip service to it but few of us expect anyone to really practice it. We leave that to madmen and saints. In fact, we have become suspicious of lovers and either dismiss them as naive and irrelevant, or we see them as phonies. We are certain that no one could really care about anyone else without having some ulterior motive. The qualities of love such as tenderness, commitment, concern, generosity, and trust are relegated to the realm of platitudes and are ignored. Today the phrase “lone one another” takes on a more urgent tone. It seems to me that we must love one another or die. Modern society shrugs off still another plea for love. It is amused by the suggestion that the world could be cemented together, not by the threat of holocaust or an arm race, but through a deep respect for life. No one will deny that we have reached a critical point in our history. In fact, there are growing numbers of fatalists who believe we have reached a point of no return. 

One thing is painfully obvious. Conventional methods to bring peace and understanding to our world have failed. The more we look about us, the more we find hate, violence, prejudice and disregard for human life, more than one hundred million people were killed just alone in the 20th century alone, this doesn’t include the people who died in natural disasters. We listen to newscasters and read columnists who deal out statistics about war dead, starvation, children being abused and sacrificed, disregard for human dignity and human rights. And all with about as much feeling as report of the day’s football scores. We have become conditioned to a whole spectrum of wasted human potential. still, we continue to ignore love as possible alternative. A friend of mine was telling me a story that happened during one of his trip to the old Soviet Union, he met a man in Moscow that said to him,”Why do you want to kill us?” he tried to make him understand that he wanted to kill no one, that he celebrated life, not death. Somewhere buried in our respective ideologies were two people trying to relate their very real and very human concerns-not only for the world, but for each other as individuals. Through the magic of caring communication, they accomplished a victory of sorts- they both forgot about all the things that separated them and were soon lost in one another. At that instant all contradictions and symbols were refuted. They both choose life. I am sure that many would respond to this as naive and unrealistic; that love is barely strong enough to maintain most close family relationships and beyond that, the heart is strained to its limits. So it is ridiculous for anyone to count on the power of love for a solution to international problems. I’ve often been told that in my zeal to love everyone I risk ending up loving no one. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Universal love is not only possible, it is the most complete love of which we are capable as human beings. But love can only work when we give up the antiquated mindsets which continue to paralyze us. We need to challenge the sophisticates who view it as romantic nonsense, idealistic bosh, unscientific and anti-intellectual. We need to accept love in our live as the most universal force for unification and good, accessible to all who really want it. Only then we will discover that love, fully realized, has the power to lay aside the petty things which separate us and reveal the fact that our enemy has a face and a heart. It is at this point that all things again become possible.

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Passion for Loving

Alex Kirst, a drummer was killed in a hit-and-run accident

Alex Kirst who was a drummer for the '80s/'90s glam rock band The Nymphs and later became a member of Iggy Pop's band after The Nymphs broke up, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in the desert outside Cathedral City, CA, reports the AP. He was 47 years old.

The local police tell the Palm Springs Desert Sun that the vehicle is a white 2000-06 Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon with damage to the passenger-side front hood, bumper, headlight and grill. The car struck Kirst the night of Thursday, Jan. 13. Someone spotted him lying on the side of the road and called the police, thinking the man was drunk.

"We have no evidence of any braking," Sgt. Paul Herrera tells the Desert Sun. "made no attempt to stop and fled the scene." 

So sad. My condolence to his friends and family.

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Alex Kirst, a drummer was killed in a hit-and-run accident

Teresa Scanlan wins as Nebraskan takes Miss America crown

Teresa Scanlan

A 17-year-old Nebraskan too young to cast a ballot has captured enough votes to win the Miss America crown, kickstarting her hopes of going to law school and eventually becoming a politician.

"I want to be there making sure that I stand up for what's right, stand up for integrity and honesty," Teresa Scanlan told The Associated Press on Saturday night after becoming the first Miss America from the Cornhusker State.

She won a $50,000 scholarship and a year's reign in one of the most visible positions any young woman could seek.

Scanlan captured the hearts of seven judges after a night of playing the piano, walking across a Las Vegas stage in a white gown and black bikini, and saying security trumps the public's right to knowledge when it comes to government leaks.

She said she'll register to vote as an independent after turning 18 next month, and work toward her goals by going to law school and perhaps becoming a prosecutor, then judge.

"At this point, attorneys and politicians are looked down on and have terrible reputations for being greedy and power hungry and I really think it's important for people who have their heart and mind in the right place get into those powerful positions," Scanlan told the AP.

"When I talk to kids my age, I don't find very many who are interested in that, because many are just turned off to the idea," she said. "I think it's important that we get a lot more of my generation willing to step up and go into those positions."

Scanlan beat out 52 beauty queens from other U.S. states, plus Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia. She said she was a bit worried after a preliminary interview with judges and hoped they would think a 17-year-old could do the job.

Teresa Scanlan

Clearly, they did.

"And I never passed up a cookie on my journey here," Scanlan said.

She's the youngest Miss America since the pageant implemented age limits in 1938. Rosemary LaPlanche was runner-up in 1940 and easily won the crown in 1941 despite being one month too young to compete, according to the pageant's website.

Scanlan said age didn't matter as the pageant celebrated its 90th birthday, though she thought her age might have made her an underdog.

"We were on an even playing field," she said. "From 17 to 24, that can be a huge age range. But with these girls, they are all at the highest level imaginable."

Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady won $25,000 as first runner-up, while Miss Hawaii Jalee Fuselier won $20,000 for third place.

Scanlan, a recent high school graduate from the western Nebraska town of Gering, planned to study American politics at Patrick Henry College in Virginia after her reign as Miss America. Scanlan said she planned to defer her university enrollment until she finishes her reign with the crown.

During the nationally televised pageant, Scanlan answered a question about Wikileaks by saying the United States should focus on security first.

"You know when it came to that situation, it was actually based on espionage, and when it comes to the security of our nation, we have to focus on security first and then people's right to know, because it's so important that everybody who's in our borders is safe and so we can't let things like that happen, and they must be handled properly," she said.

Scanlan said the question was easier for her than a generic one, because she has routinely discussed current events with her family since she was young.

The contestants — from every state plus the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico — started the show by dancing up the aisles while wearing silver cocktail dresses.

A panel of seven judges eyed them for looks and fitness. The competition included evening gown, talent and interview portions, with eliminations for 15 finalists, then 12, then 10, five and finally the winner along the way.

The judges had picked the three top finishers plus Miss Oklahoma Emoly West; Miss Texas Ashley Melnick; Miss Rhode Island Deborah Saint-Vil; Miss Utah Christina Lowe; Miss Washington Jacquie Brown; Miss Arizona Kathryn Bulkley; Miss Virginia Caitlin Uze, and Miss California Arianna Afsar.

Fans voted in Miss New York Claire Buffie and Miss Delaware Kayla Martell.

And in a first-ever twist for the contest, the young women picked two finalists themselves, Miss Kentucky Djuan Trent and Miss Oregon Stephenie Denise Steers.

In her introduction to the audience, Bulkley dedicated her performance to U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head last week in Tucson. Bulkley called Giffords her mentor.

The Miss America Organization bills itself as the country's largest scholarship provider for women, with $349,000 in prizes given this year at the national level.

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Teresa Scanlan wins as Nebraskan takes Miss America crown

Bank of America Mortgage Rates Today

Mortgage rates

Mortgage rates through the weekend at Bank of America remain at “buyer friendly” levels. 30-year interest rates today are 4.625%, a rate not matched by any of the other big four lenders.

Current 30 year fixed rates at CitiMortgage are 4.75%. Wells Fargo and Chase Bank are both quoting 4.875% as well as PNC who is quoting a range of 4.875% to 5.50%.

15 year fixed mortgage rates at Bank of America and CitMortgage are 4.000%. Chase Bank is at 4.125% and Wells Fargo at bit higher at 4.25%. PNC’s best mortgage rate for the loan is 4.375%.

Refinance mortgages are similar in rate but the points are generally a little lower. Wells Fargo is offering 4.75% and 4.25% for refinances and Bank of America is quoting 4.75% and 4.125% for the 30 and 15 year fixed refinances.

Weak employment news in the form of increased unemployment claims for the week weighed on the stock market resulting in bond buying activity and easing the pressure on the upper trend of mortgage rates. The unemployment claims report followed on the heels of the December non-farm jobs report which showed anemic growth of 103,000 new private sector jobs. The number was viewed negatively because it is not enough to keep pace with population growth.

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Mental Illness Problem

Mental Illness

 It is human nature to try to blame someone or something for the acts of a deranged mind. It is more difficult to accept that someone could open fire in a crowded gathering not because of political motivation, but simply because he is mentally ill.

That fact is becoming clearer in the aftermath of the tragic shootings in Tucson. Jared Lee Loughner, the man who allegedly pulled the trigger that killed six people and wounded a number of others, is in custody. As facts slowly emerge about his troubled life, however, it is evident that this case has more to do with a breakdown in our mental health system than anything else.

Here’s what we do know
1) For years preceding this incident, Loughner showed classic signs of schizophrenia. This disorder afflicts a small percentage of the population. According to experts, it is a severe and chronic malady that requires a lifetime of medication and care.

Among the symptoms are hallucinations and paranoid delusions. Some of Loughner’s friends report that in the last year, his delusions and paranoia grew more serious, even to the point where he refused to leave his parents’ home.

2) His behavior was becoming more bizarre and disruptive. After high school, Loughner enrolled in Pima Community College in Tucson. However, he was expelled from the school when professors and students reported fearing his irrational comments, believing they would lead to violence. College officials told Loughner he could not return to classes until he had undergone a mental health evaluation. That apparently never occurred, and Loughner did not return to school.

3) Loughner had run-ins with the Pima County police for a number of incidents, including drug charges. A friend of Loughner reported that the young man was a frequent user of marijuana. Medical testing has long known that repeated exposure to such drug use can make dealing with reality much worse for someone suffering from schizophrenia.

4) Loughner also had contact with the object of his anger, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona. In earlier meetings, he questioned her as to why the government was using “English grammar structure” in an attempt to brainwash Americans.

5) Comments on his web site includes an admission that he had suffered a “mental breakdown.”

Sadly, all of the above incidents point to a troubled young man who was increasingly detached from reality.

Some are using the tragedy for political purposes, trying to attach Loughner’s actions to a political party, talk radio, or the recent elections — despite a complete lack of evidence. One of Loughner’s friends pointedly told reporters that Loughner did  not subscribe to any political party, did not listen to talk radio, and had no interest in elections.

President Barrack Obama got it right Wednesday night when he urged people not to assign blame for the shootings, which he correctly noted might never be fully explained.

We would go one step further. We would urge our leaders to take a deeper look at our mental health system, which since the 1960s has actively de-institutionalized many of those with serious mental health issues.

The intent was honorable — to “mainstream” those who suffer from mental health problems, so they are not stigmatized. But we can no longer ignore the fact that opening the institutional gates has also taken away the very support system that could help those who need help, but cannot help themselves.

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Mental Illness Problem

Teresa Scanlan as a new Miss America was crowned last night

Teresa Scanlan

 A new Miss America was crowned last night -- and she's got some harsh words for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

Teresa Scanlan, a 17-year-old from Nebraska, was asked during the question portion of the pageant what her thoughts were about Wikileaks.

"You know when it came to that situation," Scanlan reasoned, "it was actually based on espionage, and when it comes to the security of our nation, we have to focus on security first and then people's right to know.

"It's important that everybody who's in our borders is safe and so we can't let things like that happen, and they must be handled properly."

Scanlan is the youngest winner since the pageant's first competition in 1921, when Margaret Gorman won at age 15.

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Teresa Scanlan as a new Miss America was crowned last night

Fans will say goodbye to the Miley Cyrus alter ego Hannah Montana

 Fans will say goodbye to the Miley Cyrus alter ego Hannah Montana on Sunday night when the final episode of Hannah airs. With Hannah Montana almost behind her, Miley Cyrus recently revealed what's next for after the end of Hannah.

Miley Cyrus recently spoke with MTV about her upcoming film projects, which include LOL with Ashley Greene and Demi Moore, and So Undercover in which Cyrus amps up her street fighting game with a little gunplay.

Miley revealed that So Undercover is a departure from Hannah Montana since she's training to play an F.B.I. agent. "I've been actually doing all kinds of stuff ... I've been doing fighting, like learning how to box ... mostly street fighting, so knowing how to, like, if someone comes up from behind you, being able to defend yourself."

In addition to So Undercover, Miley Cyrus also has the thriller Wake on the horizon and is rumoured to be reprising her role in The Big Bang video, which is being turned into a feature film.

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Fans will say goodbye to the Miley Cyrus alter ego Hannah Montana

Jennifer Connelly's third child and second with husband Paul Bettany

Jennifer Connelly

Vince Vaughn and Kevin James may be the faces of "The Dilemma," but costar Jennifer Connelly stole some of the spotlight at the film's premiere Thursday with her public display of, well, pregnancy.

This will be Connelly's third child, and her second with husband Paul Bettany.

Winona Ryder, fresh off her "Black Swan" success, also made the red carpet in Chicago, as did fellow cast member Channing Tatum, with wife Jenna Dewan on his arm, director Ron Howard and Chicago-based film critic Roger Ebert, who had news of his own this week about his upcoming TV show.

"The Dilemma," a comedy about a man who sees his best friend's wife with another man, opens next Friday.

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Jennifer Connelly's third child and second with husband Paul Bettany